{"id":550,"date":"2023-01-23T17:11:22","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T22:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/iamm\/?page_id=550"},"modified":"2026-06-11T14:45:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T18:45:30","slug":"electron-microscopy-center","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/iamm\/about\/core-facilities\/electron-microscopy-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Electron Microscopy Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Electron Microscopy Center provides electron and ion microscopy for all researchers in the UT system, ORNL, other institutions, and external partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facility is equipped with TEM, SEM\/FIB, and modern sample preparation for soft and solid materials. The facility is available on a self-use basis and for service requests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff<\/summary>
\n
\n
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Neal Evans<\/strong>
Facility Manager
nevans2@utk.edu<\/a>
865-974-6197<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Gerd Duscher<\/strong>
Faculty Director
gduscher@utk.edu<\/a>
865-974-5319<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Instruments<\/summary>
\n

TEM: Zeiss Libra200<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The transmission electron microscope (TEM) at IAMM is located in SERF 101. This TEM is used for atomic and micro-scale investigations in materials science of solid and soft materials (polymers). It is also used for diagnostics in medical science and in research of biology and agriculture. Most applications are in imaging small features in cells or materials and tomographic investigations through tilt series at liquid nitrogen temperatures within the TEM. This microscope was specifically designed to enable chemical investigations on the atomic length scale. We can also map surface plasmons and band gaps with sub-nanometer resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

FIB: Zeiss Auriga Crossbeam FIB\/SEM<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Zeiss Dual Beam FIB\/SEM instrument is located in SERF 101. It is not only used as high-resolution Scanning electron microscope but can be used together with an scanning focused ion beam. Uses include TEM sample preparation and micro-machining. We can also slice and image successively to get tomographic 3D images of small objects from cells to proteins and nano-wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Sample Preparation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sample prep lab at IAMM is equipped for standard sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy. The following instruments are available in SERF 101. There is additional equipment available for biological and polymer sample preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plasma Cleaner \u2013 Fischione<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This instrument provides plasma that allows us to clean sample holders of the TEM and FIB and the samples themselves. An oxygen plasma is ignited and the cleaning process occurs at the periphery of this plasma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Precision ION Mill \u2013 Gatan PIPS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This instrument thins TEM samples without contact by bombarding it with fast (1-6kV) Argon ions. This ion mill produces a small hole in the TEM sample with the rim thin enough to be electron transparent in the transmission electron microscope<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dimpling Grinder \u2013 Fischione<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A thin section of a sample is placed at the table of this dimpler. The grinding wheel and the table rotate. The sample is thereby thinned in a small dimple to a few tens of micrometer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leica Ultramicrotome EM UC7<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This piece of equipment provides easy preparation of semi and ultrathin sections, as well as perfect, perfect smooth surfaces of biological and industrial samples for TEM, SEM, AFM and LM examination. It also has an attachable cryochamber for materials too soft to be sectioned at room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leica Mill EM TRIM2<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a high-speed milling system with an integrated stereomicroscope and LED ring illuminator for trimming of biological and industrial samples prior to ultramicrotomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allied Multiprep Polisher<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The MultiPrep System enables precise semi-automatic sample preparation of a wide range of materials for microscopic (optical, SEM, FIB, TEM, AFM, etc.) evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allied Techcut 4 Slow Speed Saw<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a low-speed saw excellent for cutting smaller, delicate samples that cannot tolerate excessive friction and heat caused by high speed sectioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plunge Freezer \u2013 Gatan<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This plunge freezer enables to freeze TEM samples quickly to liquid nitrogen temperatures. The environmental chamber allows to first equilibrate the sample to a controlled hydration state, and then cool it down fast to cytostatic temperatures for investigation in the cryo-TEM.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
User Rates<\/summary>
\n

Assisted help is billed in addition to the regular instrument rate. Rates for instrument time indicate self-use. Any operation of the instrument by staff will incur an additional charge for staff assistance. If staff assistance will be required that time must be booked in advance of reserving instrument time. Please contact Neal Evans<\/a> for assistance requests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rates include usages of Includes usage of ultramicrotome, multiprep, ion polishing system, dimpler, diamond saw and consumables except diamond lapping paper. Diamond lapping paper is sold by the facility at cost price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listed rates below are per hour.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/th>Internal Academic<\/strong><\/th>External Academic<\/strong><\/th>On-Campus Commercial<\/strong><\/th>External Commercial<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Service 1: Auriga FIB\/SEM<\/strong><\/td>$60<\/td>$92<\/td>$140<\/td>$175<\/td><\/tr>
Service 2: Libra TEM Unassisted<\/strong><\/td>$60<\/td>$92<\/td>$140<\/td>$175<\/td><\/tr>
Service 3: Zeiss EVO SEM<\/strong><\/td>$45<\/td>$69<\/td>$100<\/td>$130<\/td><\/tr>
Service 4: Cypher AFM<\/strong><\/td>$25<\/td>$38<\/td>$40<\/td>$50<\/td><\/tr>
Service 5: iMicro Nanoindenter<\/strong><\/td>$25<\/td>$38<\/td>$40<\/td>$50<\/td><\/tr>
Service 6: Helios SEM FIB<\/strong><\/td>$60<\/td>$92<\/td>$135<\/td>$170<\/td><\/tr>
Service 7: Spectra TEM<\/strong><\/td>$65<\/td>$100<\/td>$150<\/td>$180<\/td><\/tr>
Service 8: Assistance\/Analysis<\/strong><\/td>$55<\/td>$84<\/td>$140<\/td>$170<\/td><\/tr>
Service 9: Sample Prep<\/strong><\/td>$20<\/td>$31<\/td>$40<\/td>$45<\/td><\/tr>
Service 10: NanoIR2<\/strong><\/td>$30<\/td>$46<\/td>$50<\/td>$55<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

User rates subject to change without notice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Additional Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Existing users may book time via Stratocore<\/a>. New users contact Neal Evans<\/a>. Obtain simulation and analysis software on our forms and resources page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Electron Microscopy Center provides electron and ion microscopy for all researchers in the UT system, ORNL, other institutions, and external partners. The facility is equipped with TEM, SEM\/FIB, and modern sample preparation for soft and solid materials. The facility is available on a self-use basis and for service requests. Additional Resources Existing users may […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":582,"parent":342,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The Electron Microscopy Center provides electron and ion microscopy for researchers in the UT system, ORNL, and other partners.","inline_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-550","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nElectron Microscopy Center - Institute for Advanced Materials & Manufacturing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Electron Microscopy Center provides electron and ion microscopy for researchers in the UT system, ORNL, and other partners.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/iamm\/about\/core-facilities\/electron-microscopy-center\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Electron Microscopy Center - 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